Both Crohn’s and UC are marked by an abnormal response by the body’s immune system and they may share some symptoms. However, there are important differences as well. These distinctions primarily include the location of the maladies in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the way each disease responds to treatment. Understanding these features is key to obtaining a proper diagnosis from a gastroenterologist.

Inflammatory
bowel disease

IBD was seldom seen before the rise of improved hygiene and urbanization at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, it’s still found mainly in developed countries such as the United States. Like other autoimmune and allergic disorders, it’s believed that a lack of germ resistance development has partly contributed to diseases such as IBD.

In people with IBD, the immune system mistakes food, bacteria, or other materials in the GI tract for foreign substances and responds by sending white blood cells into the lining of the bowels. The result of the immune system’s attack is chronic inflammation. The word inflammation itself comes from the Greek word for flame. It literally means “to be set on fire.”

Crohn’s and UC are the most common forms of IBD. Oftentimes, the terms are interchangeable. Less common IBDs include:

IBD may strike at any age. Most people with IBD are diagnosed before the , but can be diagnosed later in life. It’s more common in:

urban areas

people in higher socioeconomic brackets

industrialized countries

northern climates

Caucasians as opposed to darker-skinned people and those of Asian descent

people who eat high-fat diets

Aside from environmental factors, genetic factors are believed to play a strong role in the development of IBD. Therefore, it’s considered to be a “complex disorder.”

Unfortunately, there’s currently no cure for IBD. This is a lifelong disease, with alternating periods of remission and flare-up. Modern treatments, however, allow people to live relatively normal and productive lives.

IBD shouldn’t be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a much less serious affliction than either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It doesn’t involve inflammation or appear to have a physiological basis.

Crohn’s
disease

Crohn’s disease may affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, although it’s most often found at the end of the small intestine (small bowel) and the beginning of the colon (large bowel).

Unlike with UC, Crohn’s isn’t limited to the GI tract. It may also affect the skin, eyes, joints, and liver. Since symptoms usually get worse after a meal, people with Crohn’s will often experience weight loss due to food avoidance.

With the exception of biologic therapy, treatments for the disease are the same as for Crohn’s. Unlike with Crohn’s, however, most people living with UC will almost never require surgery. Children with the disease may not develop or grow properly.

Remission periods tend to be longer with UC than with Crohn’s disease, and complications are far less frequent. Still, when complications do occur, they can be severe. Left untreated, UC may lead to:

Diagnosing
IBD

There’s no doubt that IBD can significantly decrease quality of life, between uncomfortable symptoms and frequent bathroom visits. IBD can even lead to scar tissue and permanent damage. If you experience any unusual symptoms, it’s important to call a doctor. You may be referred to a gastroenterologist for IBD testing, such as a colonoscopy or a CT scan. Diagnosing the right form of IBD will lead to more effective therapies.

While there’s no cure for any form of IBD, early treatment and lifestyle changes can help minimize damage and complications. Treatment will also reduce the amount of symptoms.